raeh1

I do and don't agree with reefs statement. Yip to set-up a well equipped commercial set-up then lots of cash required and cash-flow is key. Asking an accountant for sure. As for pricing I believe that currently it is on the high side and think with increasing competition (no more oligopoly). I reckon a 20-30% retail price drop in the near-ish future is on the cards. This will probably still make a fair return for importers in a more competitive market place as supply increases and the market adjusts. The up side of this is that it will make the hobby more affordable for hobbyists and offer more variety and more people will take the hobby up. So all will win in the end I suspect.

ok my mistake. I did say as far as I knew. :oops:

Credit whether credits due. Reef was the Tropical Marine Importer Pioneer in New Zealand as far as I know. Whether you like him or not and personally I have never had a personal issue with him. In fact as he was actually pretty nice to me in the past.

I'm not sure why you need a $5000-10,000 budget to start. If you have a store why not set up 2-3 4 foot tanks with hang on skimmers and keep it simple. reckon with store wholesale rates it would be more like $1000.

I guess Ira only a few people really know the answer to that question. But your right people "I want, I want"... ops no cash. Even had someone text me on Christmas day wanting a fish, that's when I turned to my wife and said stuff this....

I have various reasons why I stopped importing marine fish and corals after only a few shipments. There are 4 importers that still do marine. 3 who focus just on marine (aquaworld, aquanet, and wonderworld). These guys stock their own shelves and/or supply fish around the country to other retail stores. Having 4 or more players in the market will ensure it becomes more competitive in the future and make the hobby more affordable and increase the market size.

Your tank looks awesome. I like the planning and coral placement. Nice

I know when goldfish bowl got into more marines there was demand, and have created more hobbyists since. Being in Tauranga water changes are easier and there is no competition.

sorting photos by the weekend. Just got vortechs...

coromandel. Had 3 dives so in the water for approx 4-5 hours. Didn't dive deep because of the cold I can't hold my breath as long at this time of the year. maybe 9-10m max this time. A bit hard work but got 3 crays, and plenty of green bone (yum). When I'm hiding on the bottom in the weedlines I usually see some cool fish. Like neon gobies, etc.. Favourite moments include 3 baby koheru swimming with me for about 20-30minutes. When I dived the swam down with me. In front of my mask then moved to my sparetip and then swam in the palm of my hand. Catching them would be harder though.. :facepalm:

I was freediving on the thursday and saw a amazing black fish with a big blue neon ridge. Looked as good as any fish we import for our tanks here. I fact I see many amazing animals in our waters that would look stunning in the home aquarium.

to begin with the multi colour angel smashed the daylights out of the flame angel. I didn't see it for nearly a week.. and when I did it was the multi colour smashing it sideways into rockwork... The flame angel was still trying to give it a go.. it was really nasty to be honest but I couldn't catch them. Then over three weeks it all cooled down. Now they swim quiet happily although about twice a day the mutli colour lines him up and chases him across the tank. But without biting him.

I'll get some of the orchid. The favorite is the multicolored angel. I just can't believe I nearly sold it. I would have kicked myself :facepalm:

Took some pics in da weekend. Image Image Image will do some good ones shortly as have ordered quiet a few bits of equipment for different suppliers that will improve the look.

when water evaporates it does not contain salt. So no worse than your freshwater tank. Saltwater leaking or spilling is a different story

putting heat pump in shortly. adding ecotechs next week when they arrive.

pm me and I'll throw you the details of tank builder and stand builder.

More pics in next couple of days. But heres my 6 foot beast of a tank PS new curtains now.. haha looks funny in the photo. :oops: also full of water now and ticking over (full of fish and corals)

if it gets to high you will have to look at bacteria treatments but currently mointor it twice a day and be prepared. A water change will help.

hey I recognise those ones.... haha I sent them yesterday.... :sml1:

get a skimmer..

damn I wish mine had growen bigger in the sump it was a mare 15kg. How heavy was your beast...must be getting around the 40kg mark if not higher.

I caught this in my tanks overflow

shrimps from me

Marine is a big step up from goldfish or even tropical. But with research and smart purchases it can be done successfully for cheapish. But take your time patience is key.. Take everything people say with a grain of salt (so to speak) but do research (books are very good compared to websites if you get the right ones). All systems have strengths and weaknesses, if you know you weaknesses of your system then you can work around them. I import marine livestock and I know one of my skimmers is weak so I make sure that I comensate and reduce the load in otherways.